Does BMX Top Tube Length Even Matter?

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-------------------------------------- Top Tube??? ---------------------------------------------
It doesn’t matter if you are shopping for a new complete bike or new frame to replace your old one. It is essential to understand the different specs on a bike and comprehend how each will affect your riding. With that being said, let’s talk about one of the most common BMX specs. The top tube.
Maybe as a brand new rider who is just starting out it could be more important to just get on a bike and ride. But as you progress you will need a perfectly fitting top tube to help you progress. I went from a 21″ to a 20.7″ and while not much changed, the control was way off. I was now able to spin fast but I couldn’t handle high airs or gaps to save my life. I quickly went back to a 21″ and noticed the difference in my bike control. It felt so much better even though it was harder to spin.
Now imagine a kid getting his first bike. This kid is really short like 5’5″ and his bike is a 21″. No wonder he is having an incredibly hard time with learning hops and spins. Perfect bike = perfect progression.

[@davidweigner1627]

Great video; most informative I’ve seen on the topic Thanks for making this!!

[@911BoDyA]

Thank you! This is such a good explanation

[@karlbass7004]

I,m 5'3 and my frame is 20.75 , but the chainstay is 12.7 so i think, because of that i dont feel the frame so long .... My first frame was 20.2 and i feel too snappy . Today i like 20.5 and 20.75 frames and feel more stable and confortable with frames like sunday street sweeper. (im 55 years old ..)

[@Erik-748]

I just bought a 29 wheel bmx, it has a 22.5 top tube. Suprisingly the name brand 29er bmx bikes have a 23.5 top tube. I like the shorter wheelbase and quick response of the shorter tube. Thanks for posting this.

[@CraZyzAndCo]

Nice work!

[@nassermansour3516]

great explanation.

[@Dougsterbob]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pxtixntzero7127]

I'm 5'5 with a 20.75 Sunday primer it's a lil un comfortable to Manny and hops require a lil more technique. But this might also be because I suck at BMX I just try to hop and manual.

[@blicky4slumpz372]

Am i gonna notice a big difference from 20.75 to a 20.5 frame? And also which frame would you recommend... fit sleeper, sunday street sweeper, subrosa flight, or kink royale?

[@mitch3384]

Really great video. Have you considered making a video on picking the right whiteboard for you?

[@Dougsterbob]

I dont get it 😂

[@Average_life_enjoyer.]

I'm 5'9 but 15 and still hopefully growing should I get a 21 to grow into it a bit? And would the bike still feel nimble?

[@derekarmstrong1408]

I am 6'6" with shoes, 210#. So I guess I would ride a similar bike as you, but I am just beginning. Partly because my son is learning to ride a bike and pumptracks are so fun. I know that I should buy a bike with 26" wheels but I want to race in the 50+ cruiser class, so I need to buy a 24" bike with a long top tube. Is it even possible to find one for under $500? Seems like XXL frames start around $400

[@scrufbmx6810]

MacNeil had a 22 inch frame

[@marvinjauregui9341]

Can you do a review on the Sunday EX

[@Dougsterbob]

I'm working on it! Here is a review on my website, video will be done in a few weeks! dougsterbob.com/product-review/2021-sunday-ex-review/

[@prsaction]

Hey I'm kinda confused, you said with a longer bike you have more control, but when you hurt your knee you went from 21" to 20.75" for better control? thanks

[@derekarmstrong1408]

I took that as, he needed the smaller bike to make it easier to whip around, but a longer top tube makes it easier to go fast and get bigger air.

[@Nsgpeakz]

What if you just have a frame and trying to build it up how would you go about getting forks bearings crank and all that

[@reyhemj6668]

Im about to buy a new bike and i was watching your videos lately and i learned a lot . Just have some questions about the bar size . Does smaller bars help to do faster barspins? Or what size is perfect for me? ( im 5.7 ft )

[@Dougsterbob]

Yeah smaller bars will help with bar spins and by smaller I mean less wide. For example 28 inch wide bars are going to be a lot easier to spin than 30 inch wide bars. But, when you run more narrow bars the bike is going to feel less stable at high speeds. So it’s all about preference.

[@dylanbrown4152]

Is tt leangth really going to matter for someone just learning

[@ecomana1255]

im 5,6 but im 15 so im gonna grow fast now. what size should i get

[@joniwibowo8711]

I got wrong size bike,, im Beginner, My bike 21”TT hard really hard for me learn doing trick like bunnyhop or manual, bcoz My high only 163cm, So if i chanks the crank that Will be work learn doing trick or Will the same,, still diffuclt?? Thanks.

[@fe4rl3ss61]

Hey! Im 1.70cm 55kg. is it okay if a buy a 20.75 top tube complete bike? (Fiend Embryo Type B Bike 2020)

[@nyx1355]

i’m 5’9 how many inches should i get my bmx bike?

[@ramilcastro5559]

What is the seatpost size of 20 Bmx bike? Tnx your rply

[@sanskam1942]

Im really confused. Im 5'5 nut i have a 20 inch bike. But whenever i lean back on the bike inorder to do bunnyhops the front wheel doesnt come up. I dont know if its because my bikes too big or im just doing it wrong

[@Dougsterbob]

It all comes down to your weight shift and the power you put behind it. It will take a lot of practice. Keep working on it.

[@Bobcatspiritdude]

I'm 5'5" and I've been riding since the 80's and I prefer a short top tube. Back then the frames were 18" - 19.5 These new bikes with longer frames are much more difficult for me to ride. 💪🤔👌

[@Dougsterbob]

Yeah but it’s also important to remember that older frames had longer chain stays. Now they are shorter. So modern frames have gotten longer too tubes but the wheel base has remained the same

[@Bobcatspiritdude]

@@Dougsterbob Yes sir . I actually just picked up a Kink Launch , an hour ago . And its pretty sweet for what it is. 💪😎👍 Still.miss the old school 80's bikes . If they weren't $4 K for what I like , then I'd have a couple ,lol 😡🤪🙏👌

[@khulgarulfsson8067]

If I am 5’7” and I pick an 18” or 19” top tube bike, is that just too short of a top tube or might that work out well? I am looking at the Mongoose reissues. I don’t plan to go flying but it would be really nice to do wheelies, manuals and small jumps.

[@clappedham]

Way to small. You will hit your knees on the bars when turning and you will generally have a bad time. Look for a frame with a 20.7 ish top tube. I’m also 5”7 but ride a 21” because I prefer a more stable ride as I’m into dirt jumps. It’s up to personal preference really but start at 20.7 so you can get the sort of feel for what you like.

[@khulgarulfsson8067]

@@clappedham Thanks 🙏

[@clappedham]

@@khulgarulfsson8067 no problem bro

[@johnnymilan6264]

Hi there! I wanted a bike mainly for urban commuting but liked the BMX vibe, so I bought an Xxl 21.25" top tube thinking I'd get a more usable bike since I wasn't planning on doing any tricks. Since then I've been getting into watching KZbin tutorials and looking at all things BMX and want to start doing some basic manuals, bunny hops etc... I'm 5'10" and 168lb...have I wasted my money on a 21.25" xxl or can these basic tricks still be done? Worried I've wasted my money and should of got a 20.5"... 😬

[@tajforney7085]

I am 5' 2" riding a 21 inch top tube. (I haven't grown much) (still a kid) but am able to do bunnyhops, 180s, 360 pivots, and basic tricks. It probably isn't recommended but I make due and have no excuses. I would say you would probably be fine on that size of a bike knowing you are 5' 10". In the future if you get a new bike I would move down a bit for a more playful feel, but you can make it work no matter the bike.

[@johnnymilan6264]

@@tajforney7085 cool man. Cheers for that! 😎👍

[@sanctuarypest2212]

If you're under 6ft, thank your parents and the lord and go buy a 20 inch and have fun

[@hand6425]

I have a doubt I am 5.4 but can I get a 21 inch I want a lot of control. (I am growing fast)

[@blueskiedanclear-1]

I’m 5’3 and i ride a 21 top tube bike, do you think that’ll hinder my progress? i have the option of buying a shorter frame but idk how to replace frames on a bmx

[@tylerlagasse4978]

Get a 20.5

[@yudhafirmansyah2174]

​@@tylerlagasse4978how if 5'6 ?should i get 20.75?

[@zsinjus]

im like 4'8 what size to i need?

[@romeocano1919]

I wanna get the subrosa letum but im not sure if i should ride a 20.75 because in 6’2

[@sanctuarypest2212]

6'4 here... I've been told 22.69 is the way at that size

[@Mufisty]

i’m 6,1 and the biggest top tube at my local bike shop is 20.75 do you think i’ll be good?

[@JZPGod]

I’m 6’2” and I ride 20.5 bike. Frame isn’t a problem for me. Bar height is. I started with front load and oh boy my back hurts just thinking about it again. Frame top tube length only affects how bike will feel in the air. It’s wrong to ask if it’s right for my height. If you don’t hit your knees into bars then it’s right. This is best answer. Game changer if you’re tall is top load with high rise like 35mm and more and big bars 9.5” and above.

[@Matush34]

I’m 6’2 ,should I get a 21 or 21,5” top tube? Btw it will be my first bmx

[@Dougsterbob]

21" is what I ride and im 6'4!

[@lurstie6579]

I’m new to bmx and I’m about 5’3 or 5’4 and I don’t know what size to get also I was looking at the Kink and Sunday Bikes is there any other brand you would recommend?

[@Dougsterbob]

So you’ll want to check out this post to see what size is best for you! dougsterbob.com/2019/11/27/bmx-size-guide/#5-5-3-to-5-6 I think you’ll like a 20.25”. Also go here to get some free recommendations from me: dougsterbob.com/free-bmx-bike-recommendation/

[@Dougsterbob]

@COSMO hey man, so 20.75 is going to be pretty big especially since you’re 5 foot three. But it’s not really the end of the world. .25 of an inch does make a big difference I switched from 21 to 20.7 and it was crazy how responsive my bike was for me. But here’s what you need to know, the different sizes will affect your riding in a different kind of way. For example you riding a 20.75 is going to make the bike feel a lot more stable. So if your style of writing is more like Cory Walsh where you go very high and very fast that stability is going to be nice. However, if your style of riding is based on technical responsive tricks like Jake Sealy or Garrett Reynolds riding a bigger frame is going to make that kind of writing very hard for you. So just think about that. Changing your stem reach could help because it essentially shortens the distance that your bars are but mostly that really helps with like bar spoons and things like that.

[@Jordan59.45]

I’m barely getting started on riding bmx I’m 5’11 and really confused on what size to get

[@Dougsterbob]

A 20.75” or a 21” will be good for you!!

[@Jordan59.45]

@@Dougsterbob thank you so much

[@roelsmasterpiece9986]

Headtube angle will matter..

[@turboboboify]

That's what she said.

[@angeltrejo9722]

I'm 5'8 would a 20.5 be good?

[@banditbkp3802]

Most definitely

[@webbos602]

can a 13yo a 21frame im 1.60m?

[@callumbjazevich5366]

Nah get 20.5 to 20.75 top tube

[@botondsimak6430]

Hey! What do you think of a 19.8 top tube? Is it too short? Im even planning on a custom 19.5, so what do you think?

[@Dougsterbob]

I mean if you’re under 5’4” that’s a good size. But if you’re taller it’s going to be tiny 🤨

[@lucidityfps9638]

Is 5'9" too tall for 20" setups?

[@sanctuarypest2212]

Perfect

[@caketin4216]

Hiya can u maybe do a review on the WTP crs bik? I like the colour and was wondering if it is worth getting it

[@jrgaming5280]

If I’m 4’9” and I use a 21, is that a problem?

[@clappedham]

Get like a 20” or 19” top tube 21” is way too big for your height

[@jrgaming5280]

@@clappedham i got a 20 and now i’m 5’2” and it’s fine

[@mayrlong5039]

I want a good bmx not to do tricks 😂 I don’t want no more Walmart bikes . Am I save to buy one that is 21TT for 5,3? Or nah?

[@phatburger7622]

Amazing work dude i love the channel keep it up. Whats that bulge on the back of your neck tho?

[@Dougsterbob]

Thanks for the love man. It's a cyst haha I'm having a hell of a time getting it fixed because of covid

[@masterofnone1481]

Way to put his business on blast 🤦‍♂️

[@stealthsaber9872]

Can i ride 20" if im 5'6?

[@Dougsterbob]

I'd get a 20.5" toptube!

[@JOSHIKILLYOU]

@@Dougsterbob hey I’m 5ft 6 could I use a 20.25 top tube

[@TheLegendaryLP]

@@JOSHIKILLYOU that’s my question as well…

[@joshjoyce8788]

@@TheLegendaryLP after my experience u would want a bigger one definitely

[@cglasford1]

21.3" being the largest you've seen? Huh? I ride a 21.5" kink Backwoods and my buddy rides a 22 inch black magic.

[@Dougsterbob]

On a complete bike with 20” wheels

[@cglasford1]

@@Dougsterbob all right that’s fair. I don’t look at a lot of complete bikes. And I didn’t hear that explicitly stated.

[@mikey_the_goon464]

Yo think the 21 good for me I’m like 5.9

[@klassickingz9094]

Yes the bike is gonna feel real stable

[@mikey_the_goon464]

@@klassickingz9094 Alr thanks man

[@klassickingz9094]

@@mikey_the_goon464 did you made purchase already? im 5'9 & a half. Been riding a 21 TT sold it and bought the new sunday street sweeper 20.75 TT but the back end is super short 12.7 to 13 slammed. it jus don't feel right it fits me but my knees are close to the stem great bike i jus need a little bit more room. If you do get a 20.75 TT jus make sure the back end is not super short you will be fine with both sizes.

[@mikey_the_goon464]

@@klassickingz9094 I got a 21 inch frame I was just wondering because I just started to buy parts to build a BMX because I want to get into it

[@klassickingz9094]

@@mikey_the_goon464 that's what's up dude. Im buyin me a sunday soundwave frame tomorrow for my build.